It's a topic that's rarely out of the news and one often on the minds of ambitious homeowners - the issue of planning permission.

Down the years The Herald has reporting on many a row over planning permission - a subject that can cause the dismantling of relations on neighbours and unnecessary wrangles with the council if you don't know the rules.

Way back in 2003, one Plymouth man was involved in long-running dispute which made national headlines when he built a wall around his property in Weston Mill, dubbed a 'Berlin Wall'.

After a lengthily row with neighbours, eventually planning chiefs ordered him to take it down - not before fining him £700 and charging £2,500 costs.

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So it pays to know what you can and can't do when altering your property.

Plymouth City Council's website has an extensive guide to the matter - which you can peruse at your leisure here and where you can book a meeting with a planning expert to discuss the matter (it costs £50 for one hour of their time at Ballard House in Millbay).

But we've boiled down some of the basic advice to give you a headstart.

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What projects DON'T need planning permission?

But if you were thinking of transforming your home, did you know you don’t always need planning permission for building work?

Some projects will NOT need planning permission – these are typically known as ‘permitted development (PD) rights.’

Building projects like warehouses, industrial premises and some outdoor signs and advertisements usually have PD rights as well as demolition – but you must get approval to demolish from the planning authorities before you start, reports Birmingham Mail.

There are other projects that might not need planning permission – usually of a type that will have no impact of neighbours or the environment.

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Even big home improvements like extensions and loft conversations can sometimes be carried out under your home’s PD rights. This depends on you sticking to government rules on height, width and materials.

PD rules are different depending on the type of house and ‘designated land’.

Flats and maisonettes don’t have PD rights and some have had theirs removed or partially removed - often the case in conservation areas.

If you’re home doesn’t have PD rights, you could need planning permission for the simplest improvements, such as building a garden shed, decking or paving your garden, replacing windows and external doors.

Until May 30, 2019, most houses can build a longer rear extension without planning permission than would normally be allowed under PD rules.

To find out more about the PD rules, watch our video at the top of the page.